Impetigo is a contagious skin infection that is mostly experienced by infants and children. This infection is characterized by the appearance of red patches and blisters on the skin, especially on the face, hands and feet.
Impetigo is not a serious condition, but it is very easy to spread the disease. The infection can occur in healthy skin (primary impetigo) or be caused by another condition (secondary impetigo), such as atopic eczema.
Symptoms of Impetigo
Symptoms of impetigo do not appear immediately after the patient is infected. Symptoms are usually only seen after 4-10 days since the patient was first exposed to the bacteria. Symptoms that appear also vary depending on the type of impetigo experienced. The following are the symptoms of impetigo by type:
crustacean impetigo
Crust impetigo is the most common type of impetigo in children and is more easily transmitted. Symptoms of crusted impetigo include:
- Itchy red patches around the mouth and nose, but are not painful. These patches can become sores if scratched.
- The skin around the wound becomes irritated.
- Formation of yellow-brown scabs around the wound.
- Scabs will leave red marks on the skin and can disappear without a trace within a few days or weeks.
Bullous impetigo
Bullous impetigo is a more serious type of impetigo, with symptoms such as:
- Blisters filled with clear fluid appear on the body between the neck and waist, as well as the arms and legs.
- The blisters are painful and the skin around them is itchy.
- The blisters may burst, spread, and cause yellowish scabs. The scabs will disappear without a trace after a few days.
Sometimes bullous impetigo is also accompanied by fever and the appearance of lumps around the neck due to swollen lymph nodes.
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult your child's pediatrician or yourself to a dermatologist if symptoms of impetigo appear as mentioned above. You should be more alert if these symptoms occur for more than a week.
Immediate treatment is needed, because early detection and treatment of impetigo can inhibit or stop the spread of infection and accelerate the healing process.
Causes of Impetigo
The main cause of impetigo is a bacterial infection. Bacteria can be transmitted through direct contact with patients or through intermediaries in the form of items previously used by sufferers, such as clothes or towels.
The risk of transmitting infection is easier if a person has an open wound, such as a scratch, insect bite, or injury from a fall. These wounds make it easier for bacteria to enter the body. Impetigo can also arise from other skin disorders, such as atopic eczema or scabies.
Impetigo can be experienced by anyone, but is more common in children aged 2-5 years. This is because their immune system is not strong enough to fight the bacteria that cause infection.
There are several other factors that can increase a person's risk of developing impetigo, namely:
- Suffering from diabetes.
- Have a weak immune system, for example people with HIV/AIDS.
- Doing sports that involve skin-to-skin contact with other people, such as wrestling or soccer.
- Live in a densely populated area.
Impetigo Diagnosis
At the initial examination, the doctor will ask about symptoms and check for visible conditions or signs of infected skin, such as blisters or scabs.
The doctor can examine a sample of fluid from a cut in the skin. This examination is done to detect the type of bacteria that causes impetigo and determine the appropriate treatment.
If needed, the doctor will take and examine a sample of skin tissue in the laboratory. This examination is done if there are suspected other causes, apart from impetigo.
Impetigo Treatment
Antibiotic ointments or creams, such as mupirocin, are used if the infection is mild, affects only one area of the body, and has not spread too widely. Before applying an antibiotic cream or ointment, it is recommended to soak the wound with warm water or use a warm compress to soften the scab.
If the impetigo condition gets worse and begins to spread to other parts of the body, the doctor will give antibiotics in tablet form, such as: clindamycin or cephalosporin antibiotics.
Antibiotic tablets are also given if creams or ointments are no longer effective at treating impetigo. Do not stop taking the drug without the doctor's permission even though the symptoms have improved, so that the infection does not recur.
Impetigo Complications
Impetigo is generally harmless. However, if not treated properly, impetigo can lead to complications. Complications that can occur due to impetigo are:
- Cellulitis, or infection of skin and fat tissue.
- Guttate psoriasis is a skin disorder characterized by a rash resembling water droplets.
- Scarlet fever, which is a fever accompanied by a red rash all over the body.
- Sepsis.
- Glomerulonephritis, which is inflammation of the kidneys.
- SSSS (staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome), which is a bacterial infection that causes the skin to blister like a burn.
Impetigo Prevention
Impetigo is a contagious disease. The best way to prevent transmission is to maintain cleanliness and the environment. Some steps that can be taken are:
- Diligently wash your hands, especially after activities outside.
- Cover the wound so that bacteria do not enter the body.
- Trim and always keep nails clean.
- Do not touch or scratch the wound to lower the risk of spreading infection.
- Washing clothes or cleaning objects that have been used, to remove bacteria.
- Avoid sharing eating utensils, towels, or clothing with people with impetigo.
- Change the bed linen, towels, or clothing used by the patient every day, until the wound is no longer infectious.
Children suffering from impetigo are strongly advised not to leave the house until their symptoms subside. This action is taken to reduce interactions with other children, which can increase the risk of transmission.